Transporters have termed 8-per cent cut
in oil prices mere an eyewash and declined to slash transport fares for the
benefit of masses.

Transporters were of the view that the
government had nominally reduced diesel price and since most of the transport
vehicles are on diesel, it is not possible for them to reduce the transport
fare.

On the other hands, passengers are
critical of the government authorities and blamed them for joining hands with
the transporters and remaining silent spectators over the reluctance of
transporters to reduce fares despite cut in oil prices.

It may be noted that the Oil and Gas
Regulatory Authority (Ogra) slashed prices of petroleum products by 8-per cent
on last Saturday in line with reduction in global oil prices.

Passengers, who use public transport,
have not yet received any relief from transporters. They accused the
transporters as well authorities for failing to ensure appropriate steps
regarding passing the benefit of cut in oil prices to the common person. After
the announcement of reduction in diesel prices, arguments between transporters
and commuters were witnessed, as commuters insisted on revised fares and
transporters refused to do so.

Naveed, a resident of Shahdara, said
that the government had failed to stop public transporters from overcharging and
that they were forced to pay high fares. They urged the government to take
effective measures to provide relief to the people after reduction in domestic
oil prices.

"Whenever there is an increase of even
a single rupee in the price of diesel, transporters increase fares manifold
immediately, which is disproportionate to actual increase in diesel prices. Now
when the diesel price has come down, they are refusing to bring down fares," he
whined.

According to him, he spends up to
Rs1,500 per month on transport while his total salary is around Rs6,000 per
month. He further said that fares were very high as compared to salaries of the
people. He termed high rates of transport major cause of inflation and shrinking
in buying power of residents.

On the other hand, transporters
criticised the government for reducing the price of petrol by more than diesel.
The decision was aimed at benefiting the elites who use petrol cars, as the
price of petrol was reduced by Rs6.04, whereas the price of diesel, which is
used by public transport vehicles, was reduced by Rs1.72 only, they alleged.

Transporters said that public
transporters would reduce fares if the government further slashed diesel as the
present decrease in price is mere deception. They were of the opinion that in
the current situation, transporters were unable to cut fares as they were hardly
earning their livelihood. They urged the government to reduce fuel prices
according to international markets, saying that transporters were already
charging low fares.

Further, there is shortage of public
transport vehicles, as no one is willing to invest in transport sector.

In big cities like Karachi, Lahore,
Rawalpindi, and Islamabad, there was a massive shortage of public transport
vehicles. Although, the government is making tall claims about overcoming the
problem, yet still a lot is to be done in this regard.

Two-stroke rickshaws are also a matter
of concern. These rickshaws not only cause noise pollution but also add health
problems for people through smoke emission.

Experts believe that improvements to
urban public transport in less developed countries are of growing importance as
population, motorisation, and associated problems increase. "There is evidence
that urban development is hampered by the inadequate supply of public transport
services," they said.

According to them, poorly administered
public transport, providing inefficient, unreliable, low quality services is
leading to the choice of alternative modes of travel. In turn, this contributes
to a worsening of congestion and other transport problems.

They called for providing a
comprehensive transport policy by the government to streamline things to provide
better transport facilities to public.